

Welcome to Moscow. If you had a hundred years, you couldn’t exhaust all the wonder on offer here.
Start your day by seeing the city’s finest sights, before an insightful ride on Moscow’s Metro, which is guaranteed to surprise you. After lunch in a local restaurant, you’ll discover world-renowned sights such as Red Square and the stunningly beautiful St. Basil’s Cathedral. Though now more accessible to travellers from around the world, these incredible world icons still exude much of the enigma that has always defined them.
Your day begins with a visit to the Kremlin, the intriguing seat of the former Soviet Union. In the State Armory, you’ll see priceless weaponry, jewels, and ceremonial robes. Tonight, witness a thrilling Russian folk show complete with traditional costumes and dances.
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Visit the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet a real cosmonaut and learn about the history of space exploration, with original exhibits and models relating to space technology, history and art. It’s a beautiful and out-of-this-world experience that will have you seeing stars.
Freechoice: Visit the State Tretyakov Gallery or explore the fascinating Museum of the Great Patriotic War commonly known as the World War II museum, where you’ll have an opportunity to see a vast collection of Russian military memorabilia.
Part of the ‘Golden Ring’ of cities surrounding Moscow, Uglich is well worth a long, deliberate examination and your guided walking tour will show you the many highlights of this city.
Welcome to the fascinating and ancient city of Yaroslavl. In fact, dating back to 1010, it’s even older than mighty Moscow. Today you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Fine Art Museum, housed in the Governor’s mansion, featuring the impressive collection of Russian paintings.
Explore the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery, built in 1397 and home to a wonderful collection of Russian Orthodox icons. Toast the occasion with a little vodka, the beverage integral to Russian culture for over 600 years.
Dock at Kizhi Island, an open air museum with a precious collection of wooden churches and chapels. View the Church of the Transfiguration with its 22 timbered onion domes, easily amongst the most magnificent examples of wooden architecture in Russia, if not the world.
Explore this charming museum village and its distinctive buildings and perhaps try shashlik, a traditional meal similar to shish kebab.
Start your day with a guided tour of this uniquely beautiful metropolis, followed by a lunch in a local restaurant. Then, visit the Hermitage, formerly the Winter Palace and home to the Tsars. Today it houses one of the world’s most magnificent art collections.
Freechoice: Explore Catherine’s Block and the fountains in the Lower Garden at Peterhof on a guided tour, or be seduced by the sheer extravagance of Peterhof’s Grand Palace, which was modelled on the Palace of Versailles. Alternatively, wander the incomparable Upper and Lower Gardens at Peterhof, including the Palaces’ majestic Fountains.
Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
Freechoice: Visit magnificent St. Isaac’s Cathedral, or Kupetz Eliseevs Food Hall where you will be treated to a gourmet tasting of local delicacies such as Caviar and Blini. Alternatively, tour Yusopov Palace and discover its link to Grigori Rasputin.
This morning visit Catherine’s Palace, famous for its grandiose white and gold façade and elaborate gardens. Afterwards enjoy a highlight lunch at the old-world wooden Podvorie restaurant. This afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore or relax as you please.
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Tonight you’ll be treated to a glass of sparkling wine, followed by a private Russian ballet concert at the majestic Palace of Prince Vladimir. The Palace was the last imperial palace to be built in St. Petersburg and is an eclectic combination of architectural styles that will dazzle and amaze you.
Today you’ll enjoy a cruise through the city’s canals and get to glide under some of the city’s 400 bridges.
After breakfast, your cruise comes to an end. Disembark your ship, and travel by the high-speed train to Helsinki. Enjoy an overnight stay.
This morning join a guided tour of Helsinki and see such highlights as the beautiful harbour area and Senate Square including the impressive Lutheran Cathedral. Afterwards relax on board your hydrofoil ride across the Baltic Sea to Tallinn. Arrive in Tallinn and settle in your hotel, your home for the next two nights.
Today you’ll discover Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Tallinn’s famed Town Hall.
Freechoice: Visit the KUMU Art Museum, with its wide range of classic and contemporary art. Alternatively, be seduced by the incredible exhibits at the Seaplane Harbour Museum.
This evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at one of Tallinn’s superb local restaurants.
Leave Tallinn behind, and journey to Sigulda, set in the Gauja River Valley and known as the Switzerland of Latvia. Explore the stunning landscapes of this region and visit Turaida Castle. Arrive in Riga and settle in your hotel, your home for the next two nights.
Embark on a discovery of Riga’s Old Town, then tour the Ethnographical Open-Air Museum for an insight into Latvia’s heritage. Tonight, enjoy an evening of traditional Latvian folk music with dinner.
This morning we leave Riga and travel to Vilnius. We’ll visit Rundale Palace and its magnificent gardens. Our next stop is at the extraordinary ‘Hill of Crosses’. This symbol of Christian resistance to the Soviets features millions of small Crosses, which were repeatedly bulldozed during the occupation. This evening we arrive in Vilnius for our two night stay.
Relish in an insightful walking tour around the Old Town with its many famous examples of baroque architecture. You’ll see all the famous landmarks, including the University, the Gates of Dawn, with its remarkable chapel, and the famous Vilnius Cathedral.
After breakfast we depart Vilnius. Our route will take us into the amazing Mazurian region, which
encompasses 4,000 lakes in a pristine setting, where a great deal of the landscape remains virgin
forest. We cross the border into Poland and continue on to the capital Warsaw. You can look
forward to staying here for the next two nights.
Warsaw was largely destroyed in World War II, but the historic centre has been rebuilt and since attained World Heritage status. Today you’ll visit the Jewish Ghetto with a local guide for a striking reminder of the suffering endured in WWII. You’ll also see the monument to the Ghetto heroes, the Palace of Culture and the Chopin Memorial – all remarkable landmarks of this diverse and history-rich land.
Freechoice: You have two vastly different but equally interesting options. Tour the opulent Royal Castle, or learn more of the plight of the Jewish community on a visit to the Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
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This evening enjoy an exclusive piano concert of Chopin’s immortal music in a Manor House, followed by dinner. This is an experience with something for all the senses, so indulge to the full in all the wonderful sights, sounds and tastes on offer.
This morning you will be taken to the main train station where you board a train for the journey across the heart of Poland and into the German capital, Berlin. Upon arrival transfer to your luxurious hotel, for your three night special stay.
Your introduction to Berlin begins with a guided tour, see the Brandenburg Gate, State Opera House, then drive ‘Unter den Linden’ and visit the former Checkpoint Charlie area. Then, enjoy a true highlight with coffee and cake under the glass dome of the renovated Reichstag Building that was set on fire in 1933.
This afternoon enjoy time at leisure to explore this magnificent city further. You may wish to discover the cities thriving art scene or soak up its café culture.
Freechoice: Visit the moving Berlin Wall memorial and the Hackesche Höfe, then ride Berlin’s subway and learn the historic details of the city’s cold war period. Alternately, journey to Potsdam, where a local guide will share their insights on the town and its history. Later, visit the Cecilienhof Palace where the Potsdam Treaty was signed in 1945.
After breakfast you’ll be transferred to Berlin Airport for your onward or homebound flight with memories of a truly unforgettable trip.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above.
People didn't really dress for dinner. Men in jeans were allowed in the dining room at night for dinner. That did not happen at another Scenic Cruise we were on. Very disappointed about this. We belong to a private Country Club and men will be turned away at the entrance for this dressing in jeans. Scenic is lowering their standards by doing this. We won't travel Scenic again because of the lower dress codes. Not a top of the line company if this is allowed.
Scenic delivered an Above & Beyond Experience that we will cherish forever. The ENTIRE ship personnel was the epitome of what customer service should be!
Scenic River Cruise was fantastic. Service and food were both absolutely wonderful. Exceeded our expectations and will travel again with Scenic.
The ship was luxurious. The staff were professional and attentive. We would definitely travel with Scenic again.
Scenic River Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest was a wonderful experience. The ship's staff and amenities afforded us a very comfortable experience. The food sometimes challenged us to try new and regional dishes, which we really enjoyed. But alternate choices were always available, as well. The other passengers were friendly and we made many new acquaintances on our trip. Best part...? All inclusive! We may have made a small tip here and there, but nothing was expected during excursions, tours, dining, bar or hospitality services. Great entertainment on various occasions.
Scenic were exceptional.They have to be the best operators of river cruises.Every aspect of the trip with them was of a very high standard.The cabins (suites) were large and very comfortable (we had the lowest level,so I can imagine what the higher levels would have been like!). All the meals served were excellent with plenty of variety and imagination.Every member of staff we encountered was helpful and smiley.The excursions were excellent with high level guiding .Overall a very good experience.and I would highly recommend them.
The tour description matched the tour exactly.
Wonderful Trip at the right price
Scenic Tours delivers a flawless river cruise experience. They truly take care of everything - all at one price. The ships are beautiful and the staff is cheerful and accommodating. The cabins are incredible feats of design that make use of every inch of space. We were gone for two weeks and never felt cramped. The food is diverse and wonderful and the excursions are very interesting and well-planned.
Scenic did a great job. It was all inclusive so we had no bill at the end, including tips. The trip was 14 days down the Danube, Main, and Rhine. The food, service, and excursions were all very good and included. The only note I would make is that you stopped at so many towns that you did not have enough time to really explore them. But overall, it was a very good trip!
The Scenic Jewel Amsterdam to Budapest cruise certainly exceeded our expectations. The Scenic Jewel staff could not have been better. We were certainly pampered the entire cruise and the staff could not do enough to insure the trip was a success. We did not have one staff person who was only average--everyone was exceptional. Our cruise director kept everything humming right along and he and the captian went above and beyond to solve a water level issue.
Scenic was more expensive than our other trips But quality was outstanding!
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Scenic provided an exceptional trip via staff, meals, and experiences. Our tour guide was extraordinary and handled even the slight setback of low water with ease and grace. I would recommend them to anyone interested in river travel.